Rumor has it Hamburger Mary's is opening in Centro Ybor in Ybor City in the Big City Tavern location. I called around and ended up chatting with Ashley Wright, who with his brother Brandon is the franchisor in Chicago. When asked if it's a done deal, he said, "I certainly hope it happens but nothing is finalized. We're in negotiations with the landlord."

For those who don't know the concept, it started in San Francisco back in 1972, the first and only national franchise actively marketing to the gay and lesbian community. But as Wright explains, "Back in the 1970s if you had any kind of overt gay affiliation, your business was in a back alley. This is the post Will and Grace era, so we're going after the mainstream market. Yes, we have a gay and lesbian following, but we want to be mainstream. Heterosexual people want to go to a gay restaurant or club because it’s fun."

And why Tampa? "Tampa itself is such a neat city with a lot going on and a vibrant nightlife. And Ybor City is at the heart of that," says Wright.

Let's hope it happens. Mary's burgers are famously delicious, then add in some "Maryaoke," bingo and drag shows and it's a party.

A familiar Palm Harbor name has a new face. The Thirsty Marlin opened a second location a couple weeks ago at 351 W. Bay Drive in Largo. I called to get more information (727/586-3474)--like are they serving those grouper reubens and is there a sushi bar--but they were so jammed no one could really talk to me. Stay tuned.

And Pinellas Park is now proud home to a brand new Middle Eastern grocery and restaurant opened July 11. Jordan Valley is the brainchild of Yazan Issa, his aim to purvey authentic Jordanian, Moroccan, Lebanese and other Middle Eastern cuisines--that means dishes like schwarma, falafel, baba ganoush and so forth. The address is 9713 66th Street N., Pinellas Park; (727) 289-7051.